The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Making a Stovebolt Bed Boards drilled wrong on my 55 ?

I got my wood bed lit from Classic parts and finished the wood installed the side rails mounted the X members and installed the side rail wood. I went to install the second boards which has the front mounting holes and the holes don't line up in with the x member. everything is loose so I can make adjustments but the are off by 1/2 inch. I measured a 54 short bed that a guy owns in my neighborhood and in measures 2 1/2 inches end of board to center of hole. The boards Classic Truck Parts sent measures 2" end of board to center of hole. I paid the premium price of $30.00 for pre drilled boards and this is what I get? Where could I find what the hole measurements should be ? It was late and I could not call CTP. Would a 1951 short be different? when I got my parts and invoice it states very clear on the invoice " Bed mounting Hole Installation 1951 8 Board Short Stepside" under Item # it has "51 8BSS"
I am going to call them but would like some information before I do. Thanks a lot for the help.

I don't know for sure but I think 1951 to 1954 is not a good comparison. 1954 was a major change in the beds. I would offer up some measurements from my bed but I have a one-ton long bed and don't think it would be helpful. Are you sure you have a 1951 bed?

FGT is correct about 54/55 being different from 51-53. Board lengths are different - someone else will have to give information on hole locations.

Classic Parts also shows different boards for the different years.

Are you installing the boards in a 1951 or a 1955-1st bed. What are the years for the boards you bought?

I don't remember if I saw it in the archive or someplace else, but some place around here is a chart showing the bed wood. It gives all the specs for the different years. It shows the lenght, width, thickness, and bolt placement. You might try a search in the archives and see if you can find it. I do know that GM changed the length and width(hence the number) of boards several times.

Mar-K has that, I saw it too but didn't remember til you said something.

Thanks FGT, I will make a note where it is. I did a quick search of Mar-K, but I was pressed for time, so it wasn't real through.

I went looking and didn't find it either, maybe I'm wrong about where I saw it. Another are you sure question is do you have the right board on the edge?

jockbolter mentioned it in this post.
And here it is.

2" is correct for 51, 2-1/2 is correct for 54/55-1st. It is always best to test fit parts before painting, especially when the label does not match the truck.

Mar-Ktech